Sports Roundup Friday 21st November 2014

Junior A 5 Loreto Bray 0Big
congratulations to our Junior As who are now in the Junior Cup Semi
Final. They beat Loretto Bray yesterday 5-0 in the Quarter Final of the
competition.

This is the first time the College has a team in the Semi Final stage of the Junior Cup. Their opponents were Loretto Bray. With a Semi final place at stake both teams were up for a tough challenge. The College took the game to Bray with Rachel Mc Mullen the Captain scoring the first goal. Newbridge continued the attack with Jenny Kelly putting two more goals away before half time. Second half started with Bray trying to break through the Newbridge defence but Sarah Jennings, Aoife Sexton, Aoibhe Burke and Aoife Gardiner held fast clearing all efforts. Newbridge went on the attack again with both Kate Hannon and Emily O'Brien scoring to put the final score at 5 0 to the College. The team panel of 16 girls all played their part in this exceptional victory. The draw will be done for Semi Final next week which must be played by December 10th.Team: Rachel Mc Mullen, Kate Hannon, Rebecca Troy, Jenny Kelly, Aimee Mc Grath, Emily O'Brien, Jennifer Greene, Robin Aiken, Sarah Jennings, Aoife Sexton, Aoife Gardiner, Aoibhe Burke, Caroline Kane, RoisinMc Connon, Grace Coneely, Kate Masteron.

RUGBYJunior League Quarter Final Castleknock College 17 – Newbridge College 15The league campaign for this year’s JCT squad ended in disappointing fashion on Wednesday with a narrow defeat to Castleknock. Newbridge started much the brighter team. Line breaks from Ben Howlett and Luke Maloney were causing problems for the Castleknock defence. This pressure led to a penalty after ten minutes which Cian Prendergast slotted over. Castleknock then started to use the wind to their advantage and kick for position well forcing Newbridge to play much of their rugby in their own half. Newbridge looked comfortable but a missed kick for touch on a penalty gifted Castleknock the ball and a try in the corner. Newbridge settled back into the game but on a routine lineout clearance kick was blocked down and Castleknock went over for an easy 5 leaving it 10-3 at the break. Newbridge started the second half again looking the better side and now with the wind in their backs. The introduction of Jack Banahan to the Newbridge midfield added some momentum and this was rewarded when Greg O Neill went over for a great try. Newbridge played out most of the half in Castleknock’s 22 and were denied on numerous occasions with some stout defending. With five minutes to go a misplaced pass on the Castleknock five metre line led to an easy intercept and a length of the pitch seven points for Castleknock. With great determination Newbridge came straight back down the pitch minutes later to pinch seven points of their own through captain Thomas Grant and the boot of Luke Maloney. It was to be the last play of the game and the league campaign with all eyes now focused on the Cup for the team. Best on the day for Newbridge were Harry O Neill, Dylan Morrissey and Luke Maloney.

Inters v ClongowesThe Inter A's went down 17-5 to a very good Clongowes team on Wednesday last. It was an entertaining game despite the wet conditions, a tough physical battle played in a very sporting manner. Newbridge gave themselves a mountain to climb as they found themselves 21 down inside the first 15 mins but got a try back after some good opportunistic poaching by Ro Burns at the head of the lineout. The 2nd half was an atrittional battle with neither side really threatening the line until the last 5 minutes when Clongowes made a decisive line break out wide for the game clinching score. Despite the final score the performance was an encouraging one from Newbridge with some great defensive play on view from the start. It was also encouraging to see the team go through some multiple phases with ball in hand. There's definitely a lot to build on over the coming weeks. Best for Newbridge on the day were Fionnan Morrin, Zack O Rourke, Jack Ryan in the forwards, Ethan Lyons, Jordan Nolan and Harry Quirke in the backs.

The Inter B’s also entertained Clongowes at home this week. This game proved to be a magnificent spectacle with two very even sides displaying true effort and determination.Clongowes opened the scoring with an early try. 12 minutes later Sean Murphy finished a very well work team try and this was converted by Jamie Clyne. Newbridge went in at half time 7 – 5 to the good. The work rate and intensity in the second half intensified for both side. Clongowes were the team that capitalised by scoring the only score of the half. Newbridge never gave up and put massive pressure on Clongowes inside their 22 for the last 8 minutes. Clongowes to their credit defended superbly and held Newbridge at bay. The game finished with Clongowes on top 10 – 7. Players that stood out for Newbridge were Billy Kavanagh, Ryan Leahy, Sean Murphy, Killian Corless, Fionn Walsh, Daragh Mangan.Eller A 21 Willow Park 41The Eller As made the daunting trip to Blackrock to take on Willow Park. The home side shot out of the blocks and scored straight from the kick off when their flying winger sliced through the fractured Newbridge chase line. The same player notched his second try soon after off a well rehearsed scrum move. Some superb carrying from Conor Mc Groary saw Newbridge come more and more into the game but a lack of accuracy in the home sides 22 meant a couple of chances went a begging. In fact it was Willow who stretched their lead when they launched a devastating counter attack off a loose Newbridge kick. The visitors eventually got their reward for some good attacking play on the stroke of half time. Jack O Connell made the initial inroads before Geoff Mc Neilis put Mc Groary over to score. The hosts started the second period as they had the first - with a try straight from the kickoff. Some superb offloading from the Willow pack resulted in their fifth try soon after. Newbridge hit back when some excellent defensive work in midfield from Sam Cahill and Marcus Kiely forced an error and Jamie Gaire pounced to race away and score. Two more tries from the home team left Newbridge with nothing but pride to play for in the closing stages. A dangerous burst up the wing from Donal Conroy was ably supported by David O Sullivan, setting up promising field position. Mc Groary was on hand to power over the line and claim his second try of the game.

GOLFWell done to our golf team who beat Mountrath CS on Tuesday to make it 4 wins from 4 in the league. Our team was Rob McGrattan-Brazill, Danny Leahy, James Lawlor and Conor Whelan (in his first match for the school).

SOCCERVery well done to our Senior soccer team who played current Leinster Cup Champions, the PBS yesterday. While we lost 4:2, we played extremely well and have made huge progress this year.Our Junior soccer team start their league next Tuesday when they travel to play Monasterevan.